Key Takeaways:
- President Donald Trump is losing public support on his core issue of immigration.
- A majority of Americans think Trump has gone too far with immigration arrests.
- Protests in Los Angeles have shifted focus to Trump’s policies, and the public is siding with the protesters.
- Trump won a legal battle to control the National Guard in California, but his approval ratings on the issue are at an all-time low.
Trump’s Core Issue Backfires
President Donald Trump is facing a significant drop in public support for his handling of immigration, once considered his strongest issue. Recent polling shows that a majority of Americans, including independents, believe Trump has gone too far with his immigration policies, particularly in Los Angeles.
Public Opinion Turns Against Trump
In Los Angeles, where Trump has deployed troops and U.S. Marines to patrol protests related to his immigration crackdown, his approval ratings are alarmingly low. Overall, his net approval rating on the protests is -15 points. Among independents, it’s even worse at -24 points. This is shocking because immigration has always been Trump’s strongest topic. Yet, the public is now turning against him.
The numbers are clear: 49% of Americans believe Trump has gone too far with immigrant arrests, while only 40% think he’s doing the right thing. This gap is even wider among independents, with 51% saying Trump has overstepped.
Protests Gain Momentum
The protests in Los Angeles have been successful in shifting the national conversation to Trump’s immigration policies. The public is paying attention, and the majority agrees with the protesters. For instance, 54% disapprove of more ICE raids at workplaces, compared to 45% who approve. This makes it clear that the American people are siding with the protesters.
What makes this even more notable is that ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has historically had favorable ratings. However, as ICE raids have increased, their popularity has dropped. This trend suggests that the public is growing uneasy with Trump’s aggressive immigration tactics.
A Legal Win, But a Political Loss
While Trump recently won an appeals court battle to control the National Guard in California, his political standing on the issue is suffering. The deployment of troops and active-duty Marines to patrol protests in Los Angeles has not won him favor with the public.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines by blocking ICE agents from entering their stadium during protests. This move reflects the growing resistance to Trump’s immigration policies, not just from individuals but also from organizations.
Why This Matters
For Trump, this is a critical issue. Immigration has always been his strongest topic, and losing support here could have major political consequences. The protests in Los Angeles have succeeded in highlighting his policies, and the public is responding negatively.
As Harry Enten noted, “This is his core issue, and he’s losing on his core issue at this point. Again, he is losing in these protests.” The numbers don’t lie, and the trend is clear: Trump’s immigration crackdown is backfiring.
Conclusion
In summary, Trump’s hardline approach to immigration, once a rallying point for his base, is now costing him public support. The protests in Los Angeles have brought attention to his policies, and the majority of Americans believe he’s gone too far. As the 2024 election approaches, this could be a significant liability for Trump. For now, it’s clear that on his core issue, Trump is losing the battle.